Beleaguered Phiyega fighting back

JOHANNESBURG: National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega has broken her silence over the damning Farlam Commission report into the Marikana massacre.

In a statement on Sunday night, she defended herself and the SAPS, saying the police working to stabilise tension during the violent strike did not plan to kill the 34 miners in August 2012.

The report found her partially responsible for the massacre, but exonerated former Lonmin shareholder and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, former police minister Nathi Nhleko and former mineral resources minister Susan Shabangu.

Now Phiyega and ex-North West commissioner LieutenantGeneral Zukiswa Mbombo are in the firing line, with their fitness to hold office in question.

“We strongly disagree with some of the content of the report, such as the insinuation that management went to work that day with murderous intent,” Phiyega said.

She was adamant that the police could not be exclusively blamed for the massacre.

“It cannot be left up to the police alone to ensure strikes are free from violence. Our protest situation is marred by widespread violence, intimidation and a high degree of intolerance of those with opposing views.”

Although she acknowledged the report mentioned the strikers’ violent approach, she felt more attention should have been placed on their conduct.

“In the few instances in which public violence was mentioned and sometimes condemned, it was portrayed as acts committed by a few rogue elements.”

She was referring specifically to the 10 people killed by the striking workers in the week leading up to the Marikana massacre. These included two officers, two Lonmin security guards and six miners. The report found the strikers had promoted a confrontation, which led to the deaths of the guards and non-striking workers.

“As the SAPS, we believe our society, and especially those in prominent positions, must continuously drive home the fact that violence must never characterise a strike. The carrying of dangerous weapons must be condemned. And those strikers who carry these weapons during strikes must be brought to account,” she said.

She also said strikers should bear in mind that non-striking colleagues had rights too.

In a bid to ensure that a fatal situation such as the Marikana tragedy does not repeat itself, she has called for more training for officers engaged in public policing, and more resources.

Phiyega must meet a Friday deadline to tell President Jacob Zuma why she is fit to hold office.